New Delhi [India], February 1: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan hailed the interim budget for 2024-25 as a well-balanced approach between welfare and wealth creation, emphasizing its contribution towards building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ or developed India. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the budget in Parliament today, which includes significant provisions for research and innovation, education, infrastructure development, and skill enhancement.
One of the key highlights of the budget is the ‘Jai Anusandhan’ scheme, which allocates a corpus fund of Rs 1 lakh crore and provides interest-free loans for 50 years to private entities opting for loans. This move aims to support India’s new generation and foster innovation, according to Pradhan. Additionally, the budget focuses on the establishment of new IITs and IIMs, along with skill development initiatives under the Skill India program, which aims to empower 1.4 crore youth in the country.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressed optimism about the country’s overall development, stating that the budget demonstrates India’s path towards becoming a strong and developed nation by 2047. BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad described the budget as effective and historical, highlighting the increase in the number of taxpayers and the government’s commitment to ensuring the proper utilization of public funds. Prasad also emphasized India’s remarkable journey from being part of the ‘Fragile 5’ to joining the ranks of the world’s ‘Top 5’ economies within a decade.
Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia praised Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, acknowledging the remarkable transformation India has undergone in the past decade. He cited the budget as evidence of this progress. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized that the interim budget would strengthen the country’s financial position, boost exports, promote manufacturing businesses, and generate new employment opportunities, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making India the world’s third-largest economy in his third term.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma commended the budget for its exceptional governance over the last 10 years. He highlighted the government’s achievement in empowering rural communities through initiatives like supporting 3 crore Lakhpati didis (women from financially stable backgrounds) and promoting research and innovation through the Jai Anusandhan scheme. Sarma also emphasized the government’s commitment to taxpayer welfare, as no additional taxes were imposed.
In summary, the interim budget for 2024-25 received positive feedback from various ministers, who praised its focus on welfare and wealth creation. The budget’s provisions for research and innovation, education, infrastructure development, and skill enhancement are expected to contribute significantly to India’s development. With a strong emphasis on good governance and long-term goals, the budget sets the stage for a promising future.
